Instagram has over 2 billion monthly active users, and 70% of shoppers turn to the platform for product discovery. During holiday weekends, user engagement spikes, making it the perfect time to run targeted campaigns. Instagram Ads allow you to reach lookalike audiences, retarget website visitors, and connect with high-intent buyers.
For businesses that depend on seasonal peaks, Instagram Ads can be a cost-effective tool for lead generation, increasing sales volume, and enhancing brand visibility.
Step-by-Step: How to Launch a High-Converting Instagram Ad Campaign for the Holidays
1. Define Your Holiday Goals
Are you looking to clear inventory, increase store traffic, or grow your customer list?
Align your campaign objective (Traffic, Conversions, or Lead Generation) with your end goal.
2. Target the Right Audience
Use custom audiences based on past holiday buyers.
Create lookalike audiences using customer data.
Consider using tools like LeadEnforce to target users from your competitors' communities.
3. Design Mobile-Optimized Creative
Engagement rates by Instagram ad format (carousel, reel, image): carousel leads at ~0.55%, with reels and images trailing. Ads using holiday‑themed visuals converted ~4.4× more than generic ads
92% of Instagram users access the platform via mobile, so make sure your visuals are vertical and thumb-stopping.
Highlight limited-time offers and add urgency: "Only this weekend!" or "Ends Monday!"
4. Use Seasonal Keywords and Hashtags
Incorporate trending hashtags like #LaborDaySale, #HolidayDeals, #WeekendSavings.
Add lead generation keywords such as "exclusive offer," "shop now," and "limited-time discount."
5. Leverage Retargeting and Automation
Set up retargeting for users who viewed products but didn’t purchase.
Use automated rules to increase budgets on top-performing ads during the peak hours.
6. Monitor and Optimize in Real-Time
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Track key metrics like CTR, CPA, and ROAS.
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Adjust copy and creative if engagement dips mid-campaign.
Useful Statistics to Guide Your Strategy
Average Instagram CPM and link‑click cost (CPLC) in June 2025 versus peak holiday‑weekend levels—showing CPM rising from $8.16 to about $13.50 (≈66% spike) when competition heats up
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58% of users say they become more interested in a brand after seeing it in Stories.
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Ads with holiday-specific themes perform 33% better in CTR.
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Businesses that use Instagram retargeting see 70% higher conversion rates.
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The average ROI on Instagram Ads during holiday weekends is 4.2x for retail brands.
Maximize Results with LeadEnforce
LeadEnforce makes your Instagram campaigns more precise by allowing you to build targeted custom audiences from competitor communities, brand followers, and niche interest groups. It enhances your lead generation and conversion capabilities without relying solely on Meta's pixel data.
Recommended Reading
For a deeper understanding of social advertising and audience targeting, check out these LeadEnforce articles:
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Creative Testing with Limited Budget: What’s Worth Prioritizing?
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Facebook Campaign Scaling Without Losing ROAS: What to Watch Closely
Final Thoughts
Holiday weekends are a golden opportunity for digital advertisers. With the right Instagram Ad strategy, you can make the most of increased consumer spending and heightened engagement. Use the data, optimize often, and take advantage of LeadEnforce's advanced audience targeting features to crush your sales goals this holiday season.
